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House of Content

House of Content
Author: Melissa Kontu, Christine Goos, Janni Widerholm
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© Melissa Kontu, Christine Goos, Janni Widerholm
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Brands are content. Content is culture. This podcast unpacks it all. Welcome to House of Content, a weekly show that dives into trending topics and what’s bubbling under in the world of creators, lifestyle, careers, and social media. Told from the bi-coastal lens of three women working in top advertising and digital agencies in Los Angeles and New York, this is the audio version of the For You Page. So walk on in. The door’s always open.
56 Episodes
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When your DMs become your lifeline and group chats feel like a dream, how do you actually make friends as an adult? In this episode of House of Content, we unpack the emotional rollercoaster of building a community from scratch when moving abroad, both online and IRL. From lonely starts to digital soulmates, Bumble BFF, and brand-backed friendships, we explore what real connection looks like in a swipe-first world.Episode Highlights:Why adult friendships feel harder (and lonelier) than datingHow creators are reshaping what friendship looks like onlineThe brands getting community right—and the ones faking it
Crisis mode: activated.From vending machines to Vegas, the past few months have delivered some of the juiciest brand and creator scandals we’ve seen in a while.In this episode, we break down the internet’s collective eye-roll at MrBeast’s $3 chocolate surprise, Poppi’s influencer vending machine backlash, and PrettyLittleThing’s pivot to “quiet luxury” (that wasn’t so quiet after all).We unpack why these fails keep happening, the blurry line between accountability and cancellation, and how to recover when the internet comes for your reputation. Takeaways: The bubble is real, and the internet will always pop itCreators do have responsibility (even if they pretend otherwise)The smartest brands evolve from backlash
Two aesthetics. One algorithm. Gen Z is living through a cultural split screen—where prairie-core modesty and borderline NSFW outfits are trending side by side. In this episode, we dig into why the same generation is romanticizing religious dress codes and wearing less than a bikini to dinner.We unpack the rise of modesty as rebellion, the spectacle of emotional overshare, and what it all means for brands trying to pick a lane, or survive in the contradiction.Takeaways:Modesty is trending, aspirational, and algorithmic Emotional nudity is the new performance artThe brands that win don’t play it safe—they commit to a POV
Let's get candid about the unspoken rules of beauty in professional spaces—from dialing down your looks for women interviewers to using your aesthetic as a social currency. Inspired by creators like Vic Path and Avery Bravery, we unpack the three tiers of pretty privilege, where it thrives (spoiler: not in corporate), and whether it empowers or endangers women. From free drinks to the currency of looks, this conversation questions whether beauty is a brand, a burden—or both.In this episode:The rise of pretty privilege on social media—and its real-world rewards and burdensWhy beauty can be a liability in male-dominated industriesThe financial, emotional, and ethical costs of looking the part
Is everyone suddenly obsessed with extremely specific corners of the internet?This week, we’re talking horseshoe TikTok, miniature cooking, and the oddly addictive rise of hyper-niche content. What makes these oddly satisfying worlds so sticky—and why do they hit harder than mainstream moments?Join us as we unpack the psychology behind ultra-specific content and what it means for brands, creators, and the future of virality.Why hyper-niche communities are taking over our feeds—and our brainsWhat brands get wrong when they try to go broad instead of building superfansPredictions for the next wave of niche collabs: think Fenty x jewelers, florists x fragrance, and beyond
Is magical thinking having a moment in marketing (and our own lives)?This week, we’re diving into the psychology, trends, and aesthetics behind manifestation culture. From TikTok tarot to “me as a song” content, manifestation is no longer just a private practice—it’s a social one.Join us as we explore why this kind of soft spirituality is hitting so hard right now and how brands can tap into the idea of “reveal me to me.”Personal stories of manifestation that weirdly worked (yes, down to the salary number)Why 2025 vision boards are peaking on both Google and Pinterest like never beforeHow brands can borrow from magical thinking—think: branded tarot decks, cosmic campaigns, and identity-led storytelling
Is not buying into consumerism the new luxury flex?This week, we examine how creators and consumers are pushing back against overconsumption, embracing capsule wardrobes, rentals, and rewear culture instead of fast fashion hauls:Why renting your faux fur and calling it a “conscious flex” is the new it-girl energyThe rise of anti-haul content and creators getting real about shopping addictionWhy fast fashion rebrands (👀 PLT) are missing the mark with Gen Z
Is motherhood being redefined or just unraveling? From egg freezing to step-parenting to the glamorization of tradwives, the paths to and through motherhood are more diverse (and more politicized) than ever. As birth rates fall and childcare costs soar, a new narrative is emerging. And, it’s shaped by a generation of people who are chronically online, eager to find their own definitions.With unique (and varying) experiences with motherhood, the hosts dive into:Why economic pressure, social trends, and algorithm culture are fueling shifting parenting perceptionsHow motherhood is redefined by career-first women and why we need new role modelsWhether motherhood needs a full rebrand—or just room to evolve.
Is marketing getting larger while the products themselves keep getting… smaller?From Jacquemus’ giant handbags to Rhode’s oversized lip gloss installations, brands are going big with their campaigns—but what are we actually buying? Mini bags, tiny perfumes, bite-sized beauty.This week, we’re unpacking the weird tension between supersized branding and shrinking products, debating why we have such a contrast in the first place.Why “mini culture” is everywhere, and how tiny products became luxury must-havesHow brands use scarcity, aesthetics, and nostalgia to drive big emotion in small packagingThe rise of the mini creator and why small is big business on TikTok and Instagram
Is LinkedIn starting to look a lot like the next big creator playground?In this debut episode, we’re diving into the rise of the LinkedInfluencer, how B2B brands like Hootsuite and Apollo are already tapping in, and whether this slow-burning platform might be the next TikTok (but for B2B and beyond).Join us as we unpack the opportunity for creators on LinkedIn, and what it’ll take for the platform to really show up for them.Who’s winning right now, what kind of content works, and how creators are breaking in.Why LinkedIn’s "slow game" might actually be a power move for thoughtful creators.The big pitch: the one thing we’d tell brands to do right now to stand out on LinkedIn.
Saving the Best for Last: This week, we’re holding a career therapy session to close out Season 4, drawing from our first decade working in advertising.What’s on the agenda?Emotional labor in the workplace, how the expectation of being perceived as “good” can affect — or even hinder — professional growth, and how gender norms shape the way we navigate work.Here’s what we’ll cover:Personal experiences of corporate trauma and what we’ve learned from themSetting boundaries in the workplaceGetting comfortable with conflict and how to have hard conversationsTackling imposter syndrome and making the case for being more #delulu in 2025.Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.
Is our career success written in the stars? Can we grow professionally by looking at our birth charts? This week, we're bringing on Monica Engelbrecht to decode how astrology affects us professionally and personally. As a budding astrologer (and full-time marketer at Yellow Tail!), Monica joins the show to discuss:What to look for in your chart for professional growthHow to find your calling based on planetary alignmentsAnd if you should listen to TikTokers and dress like your rising sign or not.Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.
Is it just as or is food having a major moment in marketing?This week, we’re discuss the latest trend in advertising: integrating food into campaign content and visuals. From Rhode's logo embossed sourdough to Phlur and Jacquemus, culinary cues are used to create unexpected thumb-stoppers on social and beyond.Join us as we examine the impact of food trends on branding, why it's blowing up, and our predictions for what's next.Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.
The old saying goes: Your network is your net worth. In the age of remote to hybrid, how do you cultivate relationships that can help you get ahead professionally?This week on House of Content, we share our experiences and tips for networking, mentoring, helping younger creatives in the field, and how we find opportunities to grow our network.From meeting the Sheryl Sandberg to accidentally meeting the founder of Instagram, tune in as we spill the tea on what’s worked for us, and what our goals are for future connections.Want to network with us? Our DMs are always open!Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.
In the spirit of Halloween, we’re delving into the eerie underbelly of social media: deepfakes, cyber-stalking, catfishing and identity theft, and more.From our pop culture obsession with true crime to the unsettling way these narratives go viral, we’ll unpack how creators are navigating the landscape, examining the dark side of social.Join us as we explore the haunting trends that make us question what’s real and who we can trust online.Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.
Everyone and their mother seems to have become a career content creator on TikTok lately, but just because a creator dons a blazer and a tiny mike, that doesn't mean the advice is sound.This week, we debate some of the worst pieces of advice we've seen on social and share our take on topics like:Unpaid interview assignmentsJob hopping and when's a good time to make a moveLateral moves, raises, and more. Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.
From trying bison organs to getting influenced by advanced Korean skin devices on TikTok Shop, we are back to discuss their updated wellness routines, comparing what's hot in L.A., what fads we've fallen for, and what we're currently planning on trying out.Here's what we cover:Egg freezing, retainers, and supplements25-step hair growth routinesChinese medicine and alternative holistic treatments.Are you team L.A. or New York? Let us know in our DMs.Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.
Open any social feed: Chances are, there's a creator showcasing a new trend, product, or brand to try. This week, we debate two opposing trends on social: lifestyle creep and underconsumption core.From last year’s wave of de-influencing to the current embrace of minimalism, we’ll discuss how creators are shifting the narrative from excessive consumption to intentional living.We examine the complexities of comparison culture and its impact on our wallets and wellbeing. We also dive into the phenomenon of #underconsumptioncore and debate whether it truly leads to more mindful spending or just another trend to keep up with.Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.
What do you want to be known for? More importantly, do you feel that the persona and brand you put out in the world aligns with what you’re building?Listen on, because this episode is all about crafting your career narrative.Recently, we happened to get into a deep conversation about reinventing yourself with a conference attendee in her 50s. Her advice? It’s never too late to pivot. Here’s what we cover:People who’ve mastered the art of personal storytelling.How we approach our own brands on social channels like LinkedIn.Taking a strategic approach to the narrative you’re building for your career.Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.
Move over Brat summer, the RTO mandates this Fall are very much accompanied by the office siren aesthetic, that, funnily enough, is most often worn by creators who haven’t ever stepped foot in an office. But that's not here nor there. This week, we ask ourselves:What elements of this trend are truly applicable to professional dressing, and most importantly, how have the politics of what we wear shaped our career experiences?In this episode, we cover the rise of the office siren and #corprcore aesthetic, unpacking its origin, impact, and professional dressing as a whole.Move over Brat summer, the RTO mandates this Fall are very much accompanied by the office siren aesthetic, that, funnily enough, is most often worn by creators who haven’t ever stepped foot in an office. But that's not here nor there. This week, we ask ourselves:What elements of this trend are truly applicable to professional dressing, and most importantly, how have the politics of what we wear shaped our career experiences?In this episode, we cover the rise of the office siren and #corprcore aesthetic, unpacking its origin, impact, and professional dressing as a whole.Follow House of Content on TikTok , Youtube, and Instagram.